How to fit a metallic back box on a stud wall?

[lilimop]

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to understand how to fit a metallic back box on a stud wall. Should it be fixed to a stud (on one of the sides) or is it expected to be fixed to a noggin?

In either case, how would I know exactly where a noggin or a stud is, so that the hole I cut on the plasterboard is perfectly aligned with it?

I have a stud detector, but there is always a degree of error, so I'm not sure how I can find these in the wall. I wanted to avoid using the plastic back box that clips on the sides.

Thanks!

 

[Spoon]

Welcome to the forum mate

Why a metal backbox? Why not fit something like this.

 

[MJPD29]

Either fit above or timber ground to secure metal box to. Either is fine. Sockets and switches will generally all be around the same height according to regulations or just take measurements before boarding.

 

[lilimop]

Either fit above or timber ground to secure metal box to. Either is fine. Sockets and switches will generally all be around the same height according to regulations or just take measurements before boarding.

You're saying, there should be a noggin at the same height on every wall, roughly at the height of all the other wall sockets?

 

[lilimop]

Welcome to the forum mate

Why a metal backbox? Why not fit something like this.
View attachment 105464

I'm afraid that will rip apart the plasterboard and come loose when pulling on the socket a little harder.

 

[mainline]

I'm afraid that will rip apart the plasterboard and come loose when pulling on the socket a little harder.

If you have decent plasterboard, then it will be fine.

 

[MJPD29]

Yeah if you want to use metal boxes. Plasterboard boxes will also be fine, highly unlikely anyone would pull it out of the wall

 

[timhoward]

If you want to know where studs are, get hold of a strong magnet, it will 'find' the dry wall screws. Google "studfinder magnet". Well worth having one.

Good quality dry wall boxes e.g. Appleby are also absolutely fine.

 

[brianmoooore]

I'm afraid that will rip apart the plasterboard and come loose when pulling on the socket a little harder.

Won't pull out of the plasterboard, but I do agree with the OP that these things are cr*p.

 

[Eddy Currents]

Dry lining back boxes are designed exactly for this and are quick and easy to fit. I have fitted thousands of these and never seen one pull out in single or double boarded plasterboard
If the walls are finished you really don't have much choice of fitting a metal box easily

If the stud walls are not finished or only 1 side is boarded then you can use the extendable brackets for fitting between studs
Britclips extendable bracket

 

[littlespark]

Get into the mindset that you’re going to use a plastic dry lining box, and you’re wanting to MISS the studs.
Guaranteed to hit one cutting out the hole!

Personally, there’s nothing wrong with a good quality dry lining box

 

[FatAlan]

If you are building a stud wall from scratch you can fit nogins to mount metal back boxes prior to fixing plaster board. Other than that use back boxes designed for plasterboard fitting.

 

[davesparks]

Dry lining back boxes are designed exactly for this and are quick and easy to fit. I have fitted thousands of these and never seen one pull out in single or double boarded plasterboard

You've lived quite a sheltered life if you haven't seen a plasterboard box ripped out of the wall with lumps of plasterboard still attached to it!
I'm sure I've seen it a dozen times over by now.

If the walls are finished you really don't have much choice of fitting a metal box easily

It's very easy to fit a metal box in a finsihed plasterbord wall, just use a metal plasterboard box!

 

[nicebutdim]

It's very easy to fit a metal box in a finsihed plasterbord wall, just use a metal plasterboard box!

First I'd ever heard of these!

 

[brianmoooore]

just use a metal plasterboard box!

I have fitted many of these in the past, but haven't seen a new one offered for sale for years.
Are they still available?

 

[Moley]

TLC have them listed.
Plus a few extra words!!!

 

[davesparks]

I have fitted many of these in the past, but haven't seen a new one offered for sale for years.
Are they still available?

Yes the ones for use in fire rated walls are metal with an intumescent pad in the back of them.

 

[brianmoooore]

Things I'm referring to were a standard 35mm metal box, with a flange welded on outside, each side, about 10mm from the front, and with a 3.5mm threaded hole in the middle of the back.
You cut out a standard sized hole in the plasterboard, glued a wooden block to the inside of the opposite inside face of the wall, inserted your box, and secured it with an appropriate length of 3.5mm bolt through the hole in the back onto the wooden block.

 

[davesparks]

Things I'm referring to were a standard 35mm metal box, with a flange welded on outside, each side, about 10mm from the front, and with a 3.5mm threaded hole in the middle of the back.
You cut out a standard sized hole in the plasterboard, glued a wooden block to the inside of the opposite inside face of the wall, inserted your box, and secured it with an appropriate length of 3.5mm bolt through the hole in the back onto the wooden block.

I've never seen that, I've used the little metal wings you clip on to the outside of the box and then have to somehow hold the box in place whilst doing up the plate screws.

 

[westward10]

MK made the little metal wings to fit the back boxes.

 

[brianmoooore]

MK made the little metal wings to fit the back boxes.

Yes, I keep them in stock. Can be used to fit a box tight against a stud. Use a couple of wood screws to fix one end to the stud and the Mk wing on the other end.
If I know I'm going to need one the next day, I've been known to tack weld a wing in place on a box the previous evening.